Court says Crist can't reject judge nominees

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida Supreme Court unanimously told Gov. Charlie Crist today he can't ask for seconds when appointing judges. Crist rejected a list of nominees for a vacancy on the state's Fifth District Court of Appeal last year, saying the Judicial Nominating Commission did not send him names of any black judges for a vacancy created by retirement of Judge Rober Pleus Jr. The JNC replied that it had no legal authority to send a revised list -- saying that once it screened applicants and made its recommendations, the issue was out of the commission's hands. Crist issued a statement: “While I am disappointed by today’s decision that the Judicial Nominating Commission cannot reconsider these important nominations, I respect the Supreme Court’s decision and their consideration of this case. I remain committed to... [read full story]                    

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